Additional hearing dates for Bourke Street inquest

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Victorian Coroner Jacqui Hawkins has confirmed additional sitting dates in 2020 for the inquest into the 2017 Bourke Street event, following changes to the scope of the investigation.

On 23 August 2019, Her Honour made a ruling to broaden the scope of the inquest to include the co-ordination and effectiveness of Victoria Police’s response to the events on 20 January 2017 up until the offender’s arrest. 

Prior to this, the inquest scope ended at the time the offender entered the city at the intersection of Swanston Street and Flinders Street. 

The expansion of the scope means approximately ten additional witnesses will need to be called at the inquest. 

Having confirmed the additional dates with all interested parties, the inquest schedule is:

• Monday 18 November 2019 – inquest commences
• Friday 20 December 2019 – inquest adjourns
• Monday 17 February 2020 – inquest resumes 
• Wednesday 4 March 2020 – inquest concludes

The inquest will commence at 11.00am on Monday 18 November 2019 in Court 1 at the Coroners Court, 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank. 

During the inquest the Court will generally sit 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

For further information regarding the 2017 Bourke Street inquest, including details about the role of the coroner and the inquest team, please visit the Coroners Court website: https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/inquests-findings/2017-bourke-street-inquest